BEING A FOSTER dad is no easy task, but for some the role comes naturally.

That is the case for Kele, an American kestrel falcon, who recently took over the feeding of a month-old male fledgling kestrel at WildCare in San Rafael. The baby bird, its feathers matted, was found in the middle of a Nicasio road on May 17 and transported to WildCare by a good Samaritan.

Since then, Kele has looked after the chick, ripping up pieces of quail, mouse and mealworm meat to feed the little bird. But the road to becoming a foster father was paved with uncertainty as Kele had never looked after a chick before.

"We didn't know what to expect," said Melanie Piazza, director of animal care at WildCare. "We didn't know if he would know what another kestrel was, let alone how to feed it."

Kele has been at WildCare for less than a year and was transferred there from another wildlife rehabilitation center after crashing a family picnic, jumping on people's shoulders and begging for food. Piazza said he was likely raised as a pet.

Unsure how Kele would react to another kestrel, employees introduced the two birds slowly.

"Both were very interested in each other. There were no signs of aggression," Piazza said.

Soon the two were left alone to bond and employees noticed the young kestrel was gaining weight. Piazza said a digital camera hidden in the aviary revealed Kele was indeed feeding the baby bird.

"Kele was fantastic. He took right to the baby," Piazza said.

Fully embracing his fatherly duties, Kele became protective and aggressive toward their caretakers when they entered the cage — dive-bombing and scratching them.

Within the past few days, Kele and his foster son have been separated as the baby is now able to feed himself. Piazza said the young kestrel is now in an aviary with another young Kestrel and the two are preparing for their release.

"They will build up their flight skills and then be released after about a month," Piazza said.

Mary Pounder, WildCare animal ambassador specialist, said Kele's willingness to feed the baby bird and ability to cope with its removal make him the perfect candidate to raise future kestrel fledglings.

"It's just so much better for a baby to be fed by one of its own," Piazza said.